Tag: The Art of Ecology

How much water is ACTUALLY available for our use?

It’s nearing summer and a lot of us are thinking about making our gardens beautiful, bbq-ing, and heading to the beach or pool! What do these all have to do with nature? They all consume an extraordinary amount of water – something that is a valuable resource! Yes, water naturally recycles itself through the water …

Of Being a Christian AND Scientist – A look at God’s hand in nature.

As a Christian, I find God’s creation absolutely amazing. In fact, this is why I started my studies in biology and science in the first place and guess what – I can see God’s hand at work in all of nature, life, and yes, science. In Job 38-39, God humbles Job by explaining to Job …

It’s finally Gardening season – Make it pollinator friendly!

This hummingbird moth is one of many species that absolutely loves the native flowers here in PA! It particularly enjoys this Bee Balm flower.

If you’re into gardening or just being out in nature, chances are, you enjoy flowers! Their vibrant colors, textured foliage and sweet fragrances are pleasing. In fact, it’s not just flowers that you like by many other plants including fruits and vegetables! Without pollinators like birds, bats, bees, butterflies, moths and other insects, these beautiful, …

Snakes – Maybe not your cup of tea, but SUPER important!

Snakes need love too! Show them that you care by building a snake hibernaculum in your back yard! They will thank you for it by chasing away all of your rodent pests!

Snakes are wonderful for so many reasons! I can see it, some of you are thrilled by this and others…. not so much, but yes – snakes are good, even if they’re not your cup of tea. Snakes don’t have to be your favorite animal for you to realize that they play a vital role …

To Rescue or not to Rescue? That is the question…

Great Horned Owl we rescued this winter in Bucks County. Unfortunately, it didn't survive, but it was a great learning experience!

If you’re reading this chances are you love animals! Me too! However, as animal lovers, we need to know how to best protect and care for them, especially in the wild. Short Answer This question “To rescue or not,” is a difficult one to answer. Short answer –  if it’s human caused (ex. A bird …

Burn Through Snow – What Flowers Can Do that We Wish We Could Too!

Galanthus nivalis is a beautiful snow-burning plant that is a wonderful herald of spring!

About this time (maybe even earlier!) each year, I start missing the sunshine and heat like crazy! Fortunately, nature’s got my back and I can get my “spring fix” even during the last dreary winter days. A few flowers get tired of the grey like I do and do something about it; they heat up …

Plants That Eat More than Sunlight!

Look up close at the long "leaves" of the sundew plant! These will curl up and look similar to a fiddlehead fern when an insect is caught.

As kids, we’re all taught that plants eat sunlight through a complex process called “Photosynthesis.” This is one of the many things that, as humans, make plants a little hard to relate to. If you’re feeling disassociated from plants, here’s something to make you feel better – some plants eat meat! Yum. Meat-Eating Plants Carnivorous …

It’s Winter. What is still growing beneath our feet?

Fungi in Winter Typically, we think of winter as a time for plants and animals to go dormant and settle down. Really there are hundreds of thousands of organisms growing during these cold, wet, dreary months! During the winter, we can go out and see so many different types of (drum roll, please…) – FUNGUS! …

#YearOfTheBird

Peacocks are one of the most easily identifiable birds with their bright and flamboyant plumage. Protecting all species, even the small, less colorful ones are just as important as protecting the "pretty" ones we love!

Did you know that by 2050, roughly ⅓ of all bird species might be extinct? Protecting these animals is important if we want to not only keep these wonderful birds around for future generations to enjoy, but also to keep healthy ecosystems! Migratory Bird Treaty Act & Protections Fortunately, 100 years ago, one of the …

“There’s ALWAYS Evidence.” Especially with Mammals.

One of the things I remember my father saying the most when I was a child was – “There’s always evidence!” This was typically said because I would wonder how he knew that I didn’t do a certain chore, but it definitely applies in the ecology world too. Mammals are among some of my favorite …